 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: complexmic
Date: 2019-03-31 17:27
How fast do you guys tongue in order to be able to play most of the orchestral pieces? Thanks in advance!
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-03-31 17:37
The standard fast articulation work asked for in most auditions is the Mendelssohn Scherzo to the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Sextuplets at 88-92BPM.
There are other pieces that may go faster, but this is the standard.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-03-31 18:16
Don't forget:
Beethoven: Fourth Symphony (4th movement)
Rossini: Semiramide Overture
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien; Nutcracker Ballet Act I Overture (just for example)
and that's just a sample of standard literature.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-03-31 20:52
When I retired from professional orchestral playing in '86, after 26 years of playing most of the major orchestral works, my tongue speed was at 144 for 4 sixteenths. I was able to play 99% of the pieces and could fake the other few. But that was when double tonguing was thought to be impossible. Today if you are aiming for the pros you ought to learn double-tonguing.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-03-31 21:26
Ah yes, 16th notes at 144/minute.........the Nielsen Concerto. I recall that being the spot that bothered Denise Nigren back in the late '70s. He said he was working on that speed and his goal was to perform the Nielsen.....eventually.
Of course double tonguing doesn't "double" your speed, but it can get even an average player up to a professional speed. It should be taught to all students. One student of mine said, "I don't need that, I can single tongue that fast." God bless her.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2019-03-31 22:17
Sextuplets @88-92 bpm is equivalent to four 16ths @132-138 bpm. As Ken indicated, you should probably shoot for 144. Some conductors might challenge even that.
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Author: complexmic
Date: 2019-04-01 15:49
Do you guys usually single tongue or double tongue at that level of speed? At which tempo will you start using double tongue? Thanks!
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-04-01 17:32
I never double-tonged at 144. And I don't now because I don't need it. I gave it a shot a few years ago because my max now is 116-120, but it would have taken too much work and I don't need it any more. I do know a few players, one who's max was 90, who worked on it and now no-one can tell it is double tonguing.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2019-04-02 04:49
Sustained 16ths at 126-132 is a good mark. The Scottish symphony of Mendelsohn is in that window. There are faster works but I'm pretty sure most people throw in a slur here and there. The Bartered Bride is about 152 or so.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-04-03 14:43
Hey David,
Thanks for "keeping it real" with tempos! There's no telling where some conductors will go with "standard" literature. The last movement of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony is another great example of "hold on, and hope for the best."
And if you're going to keep up with those speeds in performance, you need to have a limit that is faster than that.
..................Paul Aviles
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